Process of producing foam from foam generating substances



Patented @ct. 27, 1931 FFHCE RUDOLF SCHNABEL, OF BERLIN, GERMANY,ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PYRENE-IDHNIJHIAX CORPORATION, A.CORPORATION-OF DELAWARE PROCESS OF PRODUCING FOAM FROM FOAM GENERATINGSUBSTANCES No Drawing. Application filed April 23, 1927, Serial No.186,165, and in Germany September 30, 1925.

' have broken out in oil or gasoline tanks or the like and similarconfiagrations which cannot be extinguished by means of water.

The production of the foam according to my invention takes place bypassing the liquid capable of developing foam, for instance a solutionof saponin, together with air or another gas under pressure through aturbine, the runner wheel of which is driven either by the foamdeveloping liquid flowing in under pressure or by compressed air oranother compressed gas. For the principle of my invention it isimmaterial Whether a turbine with a blade wheel is employed or whetherfor obtaining the intended effect viz. the intimate mixture of theliquid with the gas, another device capable of being driven by thepressure medium is employed, as for instance an apparatus operating onthe principle of the reaction water wheel. V

In practicing my invention the turbine or the like may be driven by asystem of tangentially located nozzles by means of which alternately theliquid is introduced through one nozzle and compressed air or the likethrough the next. The arrangement could also be such that only one ofthe media serving for the generation of the foam is introduced into theturbine under pressure, for in stance the air or other gas and utilizingthe mechanical energy of the turbine for supplying the other medium, forinstance a solution of saponin, to the turbine.

Owing to the extraordinary high speed attainable in such a turbine anextremely intimate mixture of the two foam developing agents takesplace, as extensive experiments have shown, so that foam of any desiredcondition may easily be obtained.

It will be readily understood that the same or a similar efiect may beattained by a turbine of the nature of a turbo-compressor operated bymotor power or a turbine operating in the manner of a siren.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit of my invention and the scope of my claims which should be readin the light of prior knowledge only.

I claim as my invention 1. The process of producing foam from foamgenerating substances, which consists in passing the foam generatingliquid together with a gas under pressure through a turbine the runnerwheel of which is driven by the liquid flowing in under pressure and thegas under pressure.

2. The process of producing foam from foam generating substances, whichconsists in employing one of the agents serving for the generation ofthe foam, either the liquid or the gas under pressure, for driving aturbine, utilizing the mechanical energy of said turbine for conveyingand putting under pressure the other agent, and bringing the liquid andgas under pressure together to produce foam.

8. The process of producing foam from foam generating substances whichconsists in bringing together gas under pressure and a foam formingliquid under conditions such as to cause a combination of both in finelydivided condition through the driving of a mechanical mixing means by atleast one of said substances.

4. The process of producing foam from foam generating substances whichconsists in passing the foam generating substances including a foamgenerating liquid together with a gas under pressure through a turbinethe rotor of which is driven by one of the substances flowing in underpressure.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RUDOLF SCHNABEL.

